smith



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. I. D. SMITH.

SHOE No. 450,200. Patented Apr. 14, 1891.

'rm'. NORRIS PEYERS cu, m0w-urno., msmnc'mn, n. c.

UNITED S ATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK D. SMITH, OF GEORGETOINN, MASSACHUSETTS.

. S H O E SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,200,dated April 14, 1891. Application filed May 23, 1890. Serial No.352,833. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK D. SMITH, of Georgetown, county of Essex,Stateof Massachusetts, have invented an Improvementin Shoes, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, isa specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to improve the construction of shoescommonly known as Congress and creole gaiters.

The essential feature is to provide means for relieving strain upon theside gorings when the shoe is put on, said means being such as toexclude dust, dirt, &c.

For the accomplishment of the desired results Ihave provided a sideopening 3' ustback of the ankle-joint, and suitable fastenings, asbuttons, are employed to close said opening; and I have also providedsuch side opening with a gusset attached at the edges to the edges ofthe said side opening and adapted to fold upon itself so as to occupybut little space when the said opening is closed yet allow said sideopening to gap open sufficiently to permit entrance of the foot of thewearer without materially stretching the goring.

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a shoe enibodying this invention; Fig.2, a cross-section of the shoe-upper shown in Fig. 1, taken on thedotted-line m a; and Fig. 3, a side elevation of the shoe, showing theback top drawn rearwardly, as it will be when it is ready to be put onthe foot. The shoecomprises any usual vamp, quartor-pieces, and sole.The upper or top, as herein shown, consists of a front top a, back topI), and side gorings c, substantially-as in ordinary Congress or othergaiters. The back top I) at one edge instead of being secured to thegoring c, terminates at or near the said goring in parallelism with it,thereby presenting a vertical side opening extending from the top to thevamp, and a lap d is secured to this edge of the goring c, whichoverlies the corresponding edge of the back top I). The lap d may beprovided with buttonholes and the back top with buttons, or any suitablefastenings may be employed to close this side opening. The lap dis alsosecured to the quarter at its lower end in addition to its being securedto the goring o. A gusset e (se'e'Fig. 2) is provided for said verticalside opening, it being secured at one edge to the back top b and at theother edge to the lap d or contiguous part, said gusset being ofsuiiicient size to permit the said side opening to be opened wide enoughto allow free entrance of the foot of the wearer, as represented in Fig.3, whereinit will be seen that the back top is allowed to be rearwardlyextended. When said side opening is closed, the said gusset may foldupon itself to thereby occupy but little space as the shoe is beingworn. The gusset may be made of leather, cloth, elastic fabric, or anyother suitable material. This gusset excludes all dirt, dust, &c., andis to all intents and purposes an extension of the back top I) foldedupon itself.

I do not broadly claim aOongress gaiter havinga side opening back of theankle-joint.

The lap d is attached to the quarter at its lower end and to one edge ofthe goring 0, so that when opened and turned away from the foot a clearand unobstructed opening is presented down to the quarter. This lap 61secured in this manner is-very strong and will not readily break or tearout.

By means of the gusset connecting the lap 11 and back top it will beseen that a closed top is presented, and even should the buttons orfastenings become loosened or removed the shoe can be worn.

I claim- 1. In a shoe of the kind described, the upper having gorings c,a side opening back of the ankle-joint next one of the said gorings, alap secured to one edge of one of said gorings, suitable fasteningstherefor, and a gusset, as e, for said side opening, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a shoe of the kind described, the upper having a front top a, backtop b, and gorings c, a lap d, secured to one edge of one of the saidgorings overlying and adapted to be 5 fastened to the back top I) andthe folded gus- 4 set c, and suitable fastenings for said lap,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specificatiort in thepresence of 100 two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK D. SMITH.

Witnesses:

D. 0. SMITH, Mrs. D. 0. SMITH.

